Rigging system for suspension exercise training

ABSTRACT

A rigging system is configured for selective attachment to a fixed-point mount (e.g., a beam, a bar, or a door jamb), typically located at a position above the user&#39;s head. A handle on the opposite end of the rigging system hangs from this fixed point and is grasped by the user to support a portion of the user&#39;s weight while the user performs resistance exercises against a reduced portion of the user&#39;s body weight. In some configurations, the fixed point may be a doorjamb above the top of a door. A height adjustment buckle of the rigging system is designed to be positioned generally distal from a structure forming the handle during use of the rigging system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/352,372, filed on Jun. 20, 2016,entitled “Rigging System for Suspension Exercise Training,” whichapplication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology described herein relates to a rigging system forsuspension exercise training.

BACKGROUND

Suspension exercise training is a form of bodyweight resistance exerciseusing a rigging system with ropes or straps to support the user whileperforming a variety of movements to increase strength and flexibility.Various forms of rigging systems have been designed to aid a user inperforming suspension exercises. The rigging systems need to be able toattach to a fixed point above the user and be strong enough to supportthe user's weight plus additional force caused by the user when pullingon or moving while supported by the rigging system. Rigging systems forsuspension exercise training also often include handles for ease ofholding and grasping the device opposite the fixed end. The straps,cords, or ropes used in such rigging systems are often adjustable toaccommodate different heights and relative locations for fixed pointsand different sizes of users. Due to the desire for adjustability,design challenges arise. For example, excess strap length can impede theuser when performing an exercise. Further, connection to different typesof fixed points can require multiple additional attachment components.

The information included in this Background section of thespecification, including any references cited herein and any descriptionor discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes onlyand is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of theinvention as defined in the claims is to be bound.

SUMMARY

In one implementation, a rigging system is disclosed for use inperforming suspension exercises. The rigging system includes a firststrap, an first buckle, and a handle. The first buckle forms a distalend of the rigging system through which a first end portion of the firststrap is threaded and in which the first strap is selectively secured.The first buckle further includes a first buckle body including a spanand two sidewalls positioned on opposing sides of the span and connectedto the span. The sidewalls are defined by respective perimeter edges. Aresilient bumper surface is formed on the perimeter edges of thesidewalls. A retention structure is joined to the body that releasablysecures the first strap within and with respect to the first buckle at avariety of positions. A handle is operatively associated with a secondend of the first strap.

In another implementation, a rigging system is disclosed for use inperforming suspension exercises. The rigging system includes a firststrap and a second strap connected to each other by a lower buckle. Ahandle is further connected to an end of the second strap by a thirdstrap. The lower buckle is connected to a first end of the first strap.The lower buckle includes a lower buckle body that defines a slotthrough which the second strap passes and a bulkhead around which thesecond strap loops whereby a length of the second strap is located belowa length of the first strap when a second end of the first strap isjoined to a fixed point located above the second strap such that thefirst and second straps hang vertically from the fixed point. Aretention structure is joined to the lower buckle body that releasablysecures the second strap within and with respect to the lower buckle ata variety of positions. The third strap is connected at both ends to anend of the second strap. The handle is supported by a length of aportion of the third strap.

In a further implementation, a rigging system is disclosed for use inperforming suspension exercises. The rigging system includes a firststrap of a first length; a second may strap of a second length, a firstbuckle, a second buckle, and a handle. The first buckle may form adistal end of the rigging system through which the first length of thefirst strap is selectively secured. The second strap may be fixed at afirst end to a first end of the first strap. The second length of thesecond strap is thus located below the first length of the first strapwhen a portion of the first strap between the first end and a second endis joined to a fixed point located above the second strap such that thefirst and second straps hang vertically from the point. The secondlength of the second strap may be selectively secured through the secondbuckle. The handle may be connected to a second end of the second strapin a fixed position such that a distance between second end of thesecond strap and the handle is constant.

In yet another implementation, a rigging system is disclosed for use inperforming suspension exercises. The rigging system includes a firststrap of a first length, a second strap of a second length connected toan end of the first strap, an elongate handle, and an ankle strap. Theelongate handle may be connected to the second strap in an orientationnormal to the first length of the first strap when the first strap isunder tension. The ankle strap is formed as a resilient, self-supportingstirrup connected to the elongate handle, wherein lateral ends of theankle strap are connected to lateral ends of the elongate handle.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A moreextensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantagesof the present invention as defined in the claims is provided in thefollowing written description of various embodiments of the inventionand illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a rigging system for suspension exercisetraining including a fixed-point mount.

FIG. 1B is a front elevation view of a rigging system for suspensionexercise training.

FIG. 1C is an isometric view of the rigging system of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A is a front isometric view of an upper buckle of the riggingsystem of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2B is a bottom isometric view of the upper buckle of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a top isometric view of the upper buckle of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view in cross-section of the upper buckle of FIG.2A with a strap threaded there through.

FIG. 4A is an exploded isometric view of the components of the upperbuckle of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4B is an exploded top isometric view of the components of the upperbuckle of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 4C is an exploded bottom isometric view of the components of theupper buckle of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5A is a front isometric view of a lower buckle of the riggingsystem of FIG. 1A connecting an upper strap to a lower strap.

FIG. 5B is a bottom isometric view of the lower buckle of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is an exploded top isometric view of the components of the lowerbuckle of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6B is an alternate exploded top isometric view of the components ofthe lower buckle of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6C is an exploded bottom isometric view of the components of thelower buckle of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a handle and ankle strap of the riggingsystem of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 8A is an isometric view of a handle link that connects severalstraps in the rigging system of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 8B is an isometric view of a D-ring for alternate use as a handlelink to connect several straps in the rigging system.

FIG. 9A is an isometric view in cross-section of the handle and anklestrap of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9B is an isometric view in cross-section of the handle and anklestrap of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a handle core of the handle of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 11A is a side isometric view of an end cap for the handle of FIG.7A.

FIG. 11B is an alternate side isometric view of the end cap of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a rear isometric view of the end cap of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the ankle strap that connects to thehandle as shown in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the ankle strap separated from thehandle.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the lower buckle and an alternateversion of a lower strap threaded there through.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of an alternate embodiment including tworigging systems without ankle straps and further including a connectorbar that connects the handles of the two rigging systems together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of a rigging system for use in performing suspensionexercises are disclosed herein. The rigging system is configured forselective attachment to a fixed-point mount (e.g., a beam, a bar, a treelimb, or a door jamb), typically located at a position above the user'shead. A handle on the opposite end of the rigging system hangs from thisfixed point and is grasped by the user to support a portion of theuser's weight while the user performs resistance exercises against areduced portion of the user's body weight. In some embodiments, thefixed point may be a doorjamb above the top of a door. In the disclosedembodiments, a height adjustment buckle of the rigging system isdesigned to be positioned generally distal from a structure forming thehandle during use of the rigging system. This is in contrast to othersuspension exercise trainers in which the adjustment buckle is fixedlyjoined to the handle structure, thus locating the buckle in a positiongenerally closer to the forearm during use of the rigging system. Thereare some potential downsides to this position. First, the heightadjustment buckle can press against the arm, which is uncomfortable.Second, adjusting the handle up and down becomes a two-step process,because after adjusting the height, the user must then manage the excesswebbing to minimize interference of the webbing with the user's motionduring a training exercise. By positioning the height adjustment bucklein a selectively changeable position that is typically away from thehandle straps, the free end of the strap extending away from the heightadjustment buckle will generally not come into contact with the userduring the exercise. Since the excess webbing at the free end of thestrap may be allowed to hang down freely during an exercise as it willgenerally not interfere with the user's motion, it does not need to beadjusted separately.

An upper buckle, which may also be referred to as a height adjustmentbuckle, can serve as a door anchor, or can cinch over a pull-up bar. Arubber outside edge helps to protect the doorframe from damage, andhelps to grip a pull-up bar when cinched tight. The upper buckle alsoprovides adjustability for positioning the lower buckle, allowing easyaccess for people of different heights, or for different ceilingheights.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C depict an embodiment of a rigging system 100 forexercise training. Primary components of the rigging system 100 mayinclude an upper buckle 102, an upper strap 104, a lower buckle 106, alower strap 108, a handle 110, an ankle strap 112, a handle strap 114,and a handle link 116. The upper strap 104 joins the upper buckle 102 tothe lower buckle 106. An end portion of the upper strap 104, which forconvenience may be referred to herein as the first end portion of theupper strap 104, may be threaded through the upper buckle 102 andadjustably engaged therewith. Another end portion of the upper strap104, which for convenience may be referred to herein as the second endportion of the upper strap 104, may be connected to the lower buckle 106preferably via a loop 105 formed in the second end of the upper strap104 extending around a structure of the lower buckle 106. The loop 105in the upper strap 104 may be fixed in size and position as shown or itmay alternatively be adjustable as further described herein.

The upper buckle 102 may be attached to an optional fixed-point mount260 via a mount strap 262 as further described below. The upper buckle102 may also be attached to other fixed-point structures (e.g., bars,tree limbs, poles, etc.) via the mount strap 262, another strap, or theupper strap 104. Alternatively, the upper buckle 102 may provide aresistance stop for placement between a door and a doorjamb and functionas the fixed point. A first end portion of the lower strap 108 may beadjustably connected to the lower buckle 106 on an opposite side of thelower buckle 106 from the attachment of the upper strap loop 105. Asecond end portion of the lower strap 108 may be attached to the handlelink 116. In one embodiment the lower strap 108 has a fixed connectionto the handle link 116 via a loop 109. In other embodiments the loop 109may be adjustable as further described herein below.

A first end portion of the handle strap 114 may be connected to thehandle link 116 via a handle strap loop 115 a formed in the first end. Asimilar handle strap loop 115 b may be formed in a second end portion ofthe handle strap 114 to similarly connect the second end to the handlelink 116. A middle section of the handle strap 114 supports or otherwiseconnects to the handle 110 as further described herein. The ankle strap112 also attaches to the handle 110 and may be attached in a fixedposition relative to the handle 110 as further described herein.

The upper buckle 102 is shown in greater detail from multipleperspectives in FIGS. 2A-4C. The upper buckle 102 may be constructedaround an upper buckle body 122 that provides a framework for othercomponents of the upper buckle 102. The upper buckle body 122 may be amonolithic piece formed of plastic, e.g., by injection molding. Inexemplary embodiments, the plastic may be a high strength, abrasion andimpact resistant, thermoplastic polyamide (nylon) formulation (e.g.,Zytel® 43% glass-filled nylon to 30% glass-filled nylon, orcarbon-filled nylon). Other subcomponents of the upper buckle 102 orother plastic components of the riggings system 100 such as the lowerbuckle 106, the handle link 116, and the handle 110 may be made of thesame or similar plastics with similar qualities. In alternateembodiments, the upper buckle body 122 may be formed from a stampedmetal such as aluminum. In other embodiments, the upper buckle body 122and other components of the upper buckle 102 may be made of die caststeel to increase the strength of such components. Other components(e.g., the lower buckle 106 and the handle link 116) may be similarlyformed.

The upper buckle body 122 may have opposing sidewalls 123 a, 123 b thatare arranged parallel with respect to each other and are connectedtogether by an upper buckle span 126 which holds the upper bucklesidewalls 123 a, 123 b in a position spaced apart from each other. Theupper buckle sidewalls 123 a, 123 b may be formed as oval or oblongshapes as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 2A-2C. However, the upperbuckle sidewalls 123 a, 123 b may be formed in various other shapes asdesired. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the top edges of the upperbuckle sidewalls 123 a, 123 b may be formed with corresponding symmetricdepressions in positions adjacent to span 126. Similarly, the span 126may be contoured from a front edge to a back edge to form a concavetrough therein. In addition to the upper buckle span 126, a number ofvanes 128 a, 128 b, 128 c may further extend between the upper bucklesidewalls 123 a, 123 b to hold the upper buckle sidewalls 123 a, 123 btogether and maintain the desired separation distance.

A grip wall 125 may be formed on and extend between the inner edges ofthe vanes 128 a, 128 b, 128 c. The surface of the grip wall 125 may beknurled, fluted, grooved, or otherwise tooled or formed with a surfacetreatment to provide a high friction or gripping surface against theupper strap 104 as further described herein. A pair of retentionbulkheads 124 a, 124 b may extend normally inward from the interiorsides of the upper buckle sidewalls 123 a, 123 b on an opposite end ofthe upper buckle 102 from the vanes 128 a, 128 b, 128 c. In someembodiments the retention bulkheads 124 a, 124 b define a gap 154between them and thus do not extend as a single piece to connect theupper buckle sidewalls 123 a, 123 b together. The span 126 is thuspositioned between the grip wall 125 connecting the vanes 128 a, 128 b,128 c on one side and the retention bulkheads 124 a, 124 b on the otherside.

A span wall 138 may extend normally from a base of one edge of the span126 on the side closest to the retention bulkheads 124 a, 124 b. A rearslot 150 is thereby defined between the span wall 138 and the retentionbulkheads 124 a, 124 b. Similarly a front slot 152 is defined between afront edge of the span 126 and the grip wall 125.

A number of the surfaces of the upper buckle 102 may be covered orcoated with an upper buckle bumper 140. The upper buckle bumper 140 maybe formed of a thermoplastic elastomeric material, for example, rubber.In some embodiments the upper buckle bumper 140 may be formed as aseparate piece and fitted onto the upper buckle body 122. In otherembodiments the upper buckle bumper 140 may be formed by an injectionover mold process and directly molded onto the upper buckle body 122. Inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the upper buckle bumper140 is formed with two sidewall bumpers 142 a, 142 b connected togetherby a span bumper 144. The sidewall bumpers 142 a, 142 b are sized andshaped to fit around an edge perimeter of the upper buckle sidewalls 123a and 123 b. The span bumper 144 may be sized and configured to seat ontop of the span 126 and connect the sidewall bumpers 142 a, 142 btogether. The upper buckle bumper 140 may also be formed to follow thedepressions in the upper buckle sidewalls 123 a, 123 b and the concaveform of the span 126 to provide a contour surface 146 along the lengthof the span 126 and through to the outer surfaces of the upper bucklesidewalls 123 a, 123 b.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, and 4C, a top surface of the span 126 maydefine a number of grooves 127. A bottom surface of the span bumper 144may be formed with a number of bumper ribs 148 sized, spaced, andconfigured to seat within the retention grooves 127 on the top surfaceof the span 126. Similarly the upper buckle body 122 may be formed witha pair of grooves 147 that are inset from and follow the perimeter ofthe upper buckle sidewalls 123 a, 123 b. The sidewall bumpers 142 a, 142b may be formed with inwardly extending lips 145 on outer and inneredges in order to define a channel 143 there between. Thus when theupper buckle bumper 140 is placed on the upper buckle body 122, an innerlip 145 of each of the sidewall bumpers 142 a, 142 b seats in respectiveones of the grooves 147 in the upper buckle body 122; the outer lips 145of each of the sidewall bumpers 142 a, 142 b extend slightly over anouter surface of the upper buckle sidewalls 123 a, 123 b about theirperimeter; and a perimeter wall of each of the upper buckle sidewalls123 a, 123 b seats within the channels 143 in the sidewall bumpers 142a, 142 b. In this manner the upper buckle bumper 140 securely attachesto and is held in place on the upper buckle body 122.

An upper buckle clip 130 is retained within the upper buckle body 122 bya shaft 132. The upper buckle clip 130 is shown to best advantage inFIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C and may be made of the same material as the upperbuckle body 122. The upper buckle clip 130 may include a paddle portion156 that extends from a number of hinge bosses 160 arranged adjacent toand separated from each other along a width of the upper buckle clip130. A grip surface 158 may be formed on the upper buckle clip 130opposite the hinge bosses 160. The grip surface 158 may be knurled,notched, grooved, fluted, or provided with any other appropriate highfriction surface texture or feature. Each of the hinge bosses 160 maydefine a hinge aperture 162 arranged along a common center axis. Thehinge apertures 162 may be sized to receive a clip shaft 132.

A torsion spring 134 may seat between two of the hinge bosses 160 suchthat the clip shaft 132 additionally passes through a center of thewindings of the torsion spring 134. A pair of spring arms 136 a, 136 bmay extend from the windings of the torsion spring 134 and define aseparation angle between them. A first spring arm 136 a may seat withinan aperture in the paddle 156. The second spring arm 136 b may seatwithin a notch 139 formed within a bottom edge of the span wall 138. Apair of shaft apertures 129 may be defined within the upper bucklesidewalls 123 a, 123 b below the front edge of the span 126. The shaftapertures 129 may be sized to receive the clip shaft 132. The upperbuckle clip 130 may thus be positioned within a well in the upper bucklebody 122 beneath the span 126 with the clip shaft 132 extending throughthe shaft aperture 129 in the first upper buckle sidewall 123 a, thenthrough the hinge apertures 162 and the hinge bosses 160 of the upperbuckle clip 130, including through the spring 134, and then extendingthrough the shaft aperture 129 in the second upper buckle sidewall 123 bto hold the upper buckle clip 130 in place in the upper buckle body 122.The upper buckle clip 130 may be arranged such that the grip surface 158on the upper buckle clip 130 is positioned opposite the grip wall 125 ofthe upper buckle body 122.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 10 and FIG. 3, the upper strap 104 isreleasably engaged within the upper buckle 102 and connects the upperbuckle 102 to the lower buckle 106. The upper strap 102 (as well as allof the other straps forming embodiments of the rigging system 100disclosed herein) may be formed of webbing, for example, 38 mm nylon ornylon-polypropylene webbing with test strengths between 1300 lb. and2000 lb. or greater. In other embodiments, the webbing may include aKevlar® weave for added tensile strength and durability. A first end ofthe upper strap 104 may be arranged in the upper buckle 102 with onelength of the upper strap 104 positioned in the rear slot 150 betweenthe retention bulkheads 124 a, 124 b and the span wall 138. The upperstrap 104 may fold on itself to create a loop above the span 126 anddirect a second length of the upper strap 104 through the front slot 152and between the grip wall 125 and the grip surface 158 on the upperbuckle clip 130. A free end of the upper strap 104 may extend from thefront slot 152 beneath the upper buckle 102 parallel and adjacent to anopposing length of the upper strap 104. An upper strap restraint 118 maybe attached to the free end of the upper strap 104 in order to securethe free end of the upper strap 104 to the length of the upper strap 104extending between the upper buckle 104 and the lower buckle 106.

As shown in FIGS. 5A-6C, the lower buckle 106 may connect the upperstrap 104 to the lower strap 108. The lower buckle 106 may be formed ina similar manner as the upper buckle 102 whereby two lower bucklesidewalls 163 a, 163 b are spaced apart from each other in parallel andare held together by a lower buckle bulkhead 161 and a lower buckle span167. Note, in the case of the lower buckle 106, the lower bucklebulkhead 161 is a single piece and extends entirely between the lowerbuckle sidewalls 163 a, 163 b. An interior wall of the lower bucklebulkhead 161 is formed as a grip wall 165 similar in form to the gripwall 125 of the upper buckle 102. The grip wall 165 is spaced apart froman edge of the lower buckle span 167 thereby defining a lower slot 164there between. A hasp portion 159 is formed between the lower bucklesidewalls 163 a, 163 b on an opposite end of the lower buckle 106 fromthe lower buckle bulkhead 161. The hasp portion 159 defines a retentionslot 168 there through. An upper slot 166 is further defined between thehasp portion 159 and the lower buckle span 167. A span wall 178 extendsdownward from an edge of the lower buckle span 167 to further define theupper slot 166 in a similar manner as the span wall 138 of the upperbuckle 102. A spring arm notch 179 is formed within a bottom edge of thespan wall 138.

Two shaft apertures 169 are defined, respectively, within the lowerbuckle sidewalls 163 a, 163 b substantially below the lower buckle span167. A lower buckle clip 170 that is identical in form to the upperbuckle clip 130 seats within a well in the lower buckle 106 beneath thelower buckle span 167 and pivots on a lower buckle shaft 172 that seatswithin the shaft apertures 169 in the lower buckle sidewalls 163 a, 163b. A lower buckle torsion spring 174 also seats around the shaft 172 tobias the lower buckle clip against the grip wall 165. As noted, the formof the lower buckle clip 170 and its configuration within the lowerbuckle 106 are substantially the same as the form and configuration ofthe upper buckle clip 130 and, therefore, the description above withrespect to the upper buckle 102 is equally applicable with respect tothe lower buckle 106 and no further description need be provided.

The upper strap 104 passes through the upper slot 166 and wraps aroundthe hasp portion 159 to form an upper strap loop 105 and connect to thelower buckle 106. In some embodiments, the upper strap loop 105 may havea fixed connection such that two opposing portions of the upper strapare sewn, adhered, or otherwise fixed to each other in order to form apermanent loop. In other embodiments an upper strap loop 105 may beformed by passing a free end of the upper strap loop 105 through theupper slot 166 and then passing the free end through the retention slot168 to create a loop that cinches the upper strap 104 to the haspportion 159 of the lower buckle 106. The lower strap 108 may passthrough the lower slot 164 defined between the lower buckle bulkhead 161and the lower buckle span 167 and pass between a grip surface of thelower buckle clip 170 and the grip wall 165 on the interior side of thelower buckle bulkhead 161. The torsion spring 174 may hold the lowerbuckle clip 170 in a biased position to pinch the lower strap 108against the grip wall 165. A lower strap restraint 120 may be attachedto the free end of the lower strap 106 in order to secure the free endof the lower strap 106 to the length of the lower strap 106 extendingbetween the lower buckle 106 and the handle link 116.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, a lower portion of the lower strap 108extends downward and terminates at a lower strap loop 109 that issecured around a handle link 116. As shown in FIG. 8A, the handle link116 may be a monolithic piece (e.g., an injection molded plastic part ora stamped metal piece) defining a top bar 182 connected to a V-shapedbar 184 and defining a V-shaped slot 180 there between. The top bar 182may further define two lower strap slots 186 a, 186 b. The v-bar 184 mayfurther define two pairs (i.e., four total) handle strap slots 188 a,188 b, 188 c, 188 d, wherein two adjacent slots are formed in one leg ofthe V-shaped bar 184 and two adjacent slots are formed in the second legof the V-shaped bar 184. In one embodiment the lower strap 108 passesthrough the V-shaped slot 180 and wraps around the top bar 182 to formthe lower strap loop 109 connected to the handle link 116. In theexemplary embodiment shown, the lower strap loop 109 is a permanent loopwith opposing pieces of the lower strap 108 permanently fixed together,for example, by stitching, adhesive, or other fixation technique. In analternative embodiment, the lower strap loop 109 could pass through theV-shaped slot 180 and then be threaded through one or both of the lowerstrap slots 186 a, 186 b in order to securely fasten the lower strap 108to the handle link 116.

In an alternate embodiment, a steel D-ring 116′ as shown in FIG. 8B maybe used in place of the handle link 116 in the rigging system 100 inorder to increase the strength of the link structure connecting thehandle strap 114 to the lower strap 108. The D-ring 116′ may be formedof 6mm-8mm diameter steel rod and bent into a triangular or D-shapedform as shown in FIG. 8B. The bent rod material may form a straight topbar 182′ and a bent or V-shaped bar 184′ beneath the top bar 182′ andthereby define a triangular slot 180′. The lower strap loop 109 wouldwrap around the top bar 182′ and the handle strap loops 115 a, 115 bwould wrap around respective legs of the V-shaped bar 184′.

As shown in FIG. 7, the handle strap 114 extends downward from thehandle link 116 to connect with the handle 110 and the ankle strap 112.The free ends of the handle strap 114 may be passed through the V-shapedslot 180 and around respective legs of the V-shaped bar 184 in order toform handle strap loops 115 a, 115 b, which thereby attach the handlestrap 114 to the handle link 116. The handle strap loops 115 a, 115 bmay be formed as permanently fixed loops by sewing, adhering, orotherwise fixing opposing portions of the handle strap together with theV-shaped bar 184 positioned within the handle strap loops 115 a, 115 b.In an alternative embodiment, the free ends of the handle straps 114 maybe inserted through the V-shaped slot 180 in the handle link 116 andthen threaded through one or both of the slots in respective pairs ofhandle strap slots 188 a, 188 b, 188 c, 188 d and cinched to createlooped connections.

Before the handle strap 114 is secured to the handle link 116, thehandle strap 114 passes through a core of the handle 110 as depicted inFIGS. 9A and 9B. The handle 110 may be composed of several componentsincluding a handle core 190, a handle grip 198, and two opposing endcaps 200. FIG. 10 depicts the construction of the handle core 190 ingreater detail. As shown in FIG. 10, the handle core 190 is formed as acylindrical tube of generally constant diameter. Each of the lateralends of the handle core 190 flare outward circumferentially to form endflanges 196. A grid of transverse ribs 194 a, 194 b may be formed on thecylindrical outer surface 192 of the handle core 190. The handle core190 and the features thereof may be formed monolithically, for example,by a plastic injection molding process. The handle grip 198 may beformed on the handle core 190 by overmolding an elastomeric material.The end flanges 196 may provide a boundary to the spread of theelastomeric material as it cures and the transverse ribs 194 a, 194 bmay provide for increased adherence of the elastomeric material to thehandle core 190.

In another implementation, the handle grip 198 may be sleeved over thehandle core 190 and seat between the end flanges 196. In thisimplementation, the handle grip 198 may be formed as a tube of a foam orelastomeric material to provide a cushioned grip to the user. Thetransverse ribs 194 a, 194 b on the cylindrical surface 192 of thehandle core 190 form a structure that bites against the handle grip 198to prevent the handle grip from sliding or spinning around the handlecore 190 when gripped by a user. The end flanges 196 similarly resistlongitudinal movement of the handle grip 198 along the handle core 190.

The open ends of the handle core 190 are covered by end caps 200 asshown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 11C show the structure ofthe end caps 200 in greater detail. Each of the end caps 200 has a caphead 202 on one end and a cap sleeve 204 that extends from an insidebase surface of the cap head 202. The cap head 202 may be formed as acircular disc of a diameter commensurate with the diameter of the endflanges 196 of the handle core 190. The cap sleeve 204 may be of smallerdiameter than the cap head 202 and have an outer diameter generallycongruent with an inner diameter of the handle core 190 in order toprovide a friction fit between the cap sleeve 204 and an inner wall ofthe handle core 190.

The cap head 202 may define an upper band slot 206 and a lower band slot208 that align with each other within the cap head 202 to define acontinuous passageway there through. The thickness of the lower bandslot 208 may be greater than the thickness of the upper band slot 206such that a retention ledge 218 is formed as a step between the upperband slot 206 and the lower band slot 208 in the middle of the cap head202. The cylindrical wall forming the cap sleeve 204 defines a capcavity 212 and an interior side of the cap head 202 forms a base of thecap cavity 212. A cap channel 214 is formed in a portion of the sidewallof the cap sleeve 204. A handle strap slot 210 is formed in a portion ofthe cap head 202 axially offset from the positions of the upper bandslot 206 and the lower band slot 208 and adjacent the interior wall ofthe cap head 202 forming the base of the cap cavity 212. The handlestrap slot 210 is wider than and is centered on the cap channel 214 suchthat the cap channel 214 and the handle strap slot 210 form a continuousT-shaped opening.

A guide wall 216 is formed as a cord panel within the cap cavity 212extending normally from the interior base wall of the cap head 202 andparallel to the opening defined by the cap channel 214. The guide wall216 may extend for only a portion of the length of the cap sleeve 204 asdepicted in the figures or it may extend the entire length of the capsleeve 204 in other embodiments not shown. A middle portion of thehandle strap extends through the handle core 190 and further through thecap cavities 212 of each of the end caps 200 adjacent the guide walls216 to exit out of the handle strap slots 210 and extend upward towardthe handle link 116 as show in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

The structure of the ankle strap 112 is depicted in greater detail inFIG. 12. The ankle strap 112 is composed of an inner length of ankle web220 that is surrounded, covered, or coated by a web cover 224. The webcover 224 may be formed as a U-shaped stirrup with eye rings 226 on eachend defining ring apertures 228. The web cover 224 may be made of anelastomeric material, for example, rubber and encase a majority of theankle web 220. In one embodiment the web cover 224 may be over molded byinjection molding over the ankle web 220. In another embodiment the webcover 224 may be formed and define a seam 232 on an inner wall thereofto provide access for insertion of the ankle web 220 within the web slot234. By this sleeved or over molded construction, the web cover 224forms and exoskeleton over the ankle web 220 and supports the anklestrap 112 in a resilient form that, while pliable, is self-supportingand retains a stirrup shape that allows a user to more easily insert afoot through the opening.

A middle length of the ankle web 220 extends through a sleeve portion225 along the length of the web cover 224. The two free ends of theankle web 220 extend from the sleeve portion 225 of the web cover 224out of web slots 234 into the ring apertures 228 defined by the eyerings 226. A locking tab 230 may be formed as part of the web cover 224and extend from the ankle strap rings 226 inward into the ring apertures228 to form a semi-circular section opposite the free ends of the ankleweb 220. The free ends of the ankle web 220 may further be folded overin order to form web tabs 222 a, 222 b.

As depicted in FIG. 9B, the web tabs 222 a, 222 b seat within the upperband slot 206 and the lower band slot 208 of the end caps 200. The webtabs 222 a, 222 b seat in the wider upper band slots and the end edgesof the ankle web 220 abut the retention ledges 218 at the point oftransition of thickness between the upper band slot 206 and the lowerband slot 208. The lengths of the ankle web 220 extending from the webtabs 222 a, 222 b extend through the thinner lower band slot 208 to exitthe end caps 200. The ankle strap rings 226 fit over and around thecircumference of the cap heads 202 of the end caps 200. The locking tabs230 within the ring aperture 228 of the ankle strap ring 226 also seatwithin the upper band slots 206 above the web tabs 222 a, 222 b in orderto ensure retention of the web tabs 222 a, 222 b within the end caps200.

To assemble the ankle strap 112 with the sleeved form of the web cover224 and connect it to the handle 110, the ends of the ankle web 220 maybe inserted through the lower band slot 208 and extended through theupper band slot 206 in the respective end caps 200. The ends of theankle web 200 may then be folded over to form the web tabs 222 a, 222 bwhich are sewn together. The web tabs 222 a, 222 b may then be pulledback into the upper band slot 206 to wedge the web tabs 222 a, 222 bwithin the upper band slot 206 against the retention ledge 218. The webcover 224 may then be pried open along the cover seam 232 runninglength-wise along the middle and slipped over the ankle web 220. The capheads 202 of the end caps 220 may then be inserted into the ringapertures 228 at the lateral ends of the ankle strap 112 and the lockingtabs 230 may be inserted into the upper band slots 206.

As depicted in FIG. 13, the ankle strap 112 may be removed from thehandle 110 by pulling the end caps 200 out from their friction fitinterface with the handle core 190. As may be understood when viewingFIG. 13 in combination with FIG. 9B, when the ankle straps 112 areconnected to the handle 110, the cap channels 214 and handle strap slots210 and the end caps 200 align with the ends of the handle strap 114exiting the handle core 190. The cap channels 214 allow the handle strap114 to be received within the cap sleeve 204 and ultimately seat withinthe handle strap slot 210. It should also be noted that once the handlestrap 114 seats within the handle strap slot 210, the handle strap 114fixes the ankle strap 112 in an obtuse angular position with respect tothe longitudinal orientation of the handle strap and prevents the anklestrap from rotating with respect to the handle 110. Similarly theinterface between the locking tabs 230 and the upper band slots 206 andthe end caps 200 prevent the ankle strap 112 from rotating with respectto the end caps 200.

In one exemplary embodiment, the ankle strap 112 protrudes at a 120degree angle from the vertical handle straps 114 (i.e., a planecontaining an entire length of the ankle strap forms an angle ofsubstantially 120 degrees with respect to the length of the firststrap), thus extending the ankle strap 112 below the elevation of thehandle 110. This position allows a user to insert a foot through theankle strap and under the handle 110 without having to use hands to holdthe ankle strap 112 in place. The ankle strap 112 further radiatesoutward from a center axis of handle 110 (i.e., the ankle strap 112extends in a plane containing a center axis of the tubular handle 110when viewed from the side). Additionally, the lateral protrusions of theend caps 200 and the ankle strap 112 beyond the separation distance ofthe handle strap 114 at the ends of the of the handle core 190 are veryslight. This slim profile may be beneficial when doing exercises such ashorizontal scissor kicks (i.e., essentially running in placehorizontally, face down or face up with the foot straps on), because theuser's feet can move in a more natural running movement without thehandles 110 or ankle straps 112 hitting each other.

While in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures the ankle strap112 is removable, it may be desirable to provide a permanent attachmentoption in order to prevent removal and possible loss of the ankle strap112 once removed. In one embodiment, the cap sleeves 204 on the end caps200 could be made without the cap channel 214 such that a tight frictionfit of the end caps 200 in the handle core 190 would be achieved bywedging the handle strap 114 between the cap sleeves and the innersurface of the handle core 190. In another exemplary embodiment, capsleeves 204 on the end caps 200 could again be made without the capchannel 214, but the a perimeter of an area of the cap sleeve 204conforming to the placement of the cap channel 214 on each end cap 200could be scored or otherwise weakened such that a user could easilyremove part of the cap sleeves 204 to create the cap channels 214 andthus convert otherwise fixed end caps into removable end caps 200.

As noted above the rigging system 100 may be mounted to a variety offixed points in a number of different ways. In one implementation, therigging system 100 may be mounted to a fixed-point mount 260 such asshown in FIG. 1A. The fixed-point mount 260 may hold a steel pin 264,preferably in a horizontal orientation. A mount strap 262 may looparound the steel pin 264 and provide a connection loop end 266 freelyhanging from the steel pin 264. The connection loop end 266 may befitted around the retention bulkheads 124 a, 124 b of the upper buckle102 by slipping an edge of the web of the connection loop end 266through the gap 154 between the retention bulkheads 124 a, 124 b toplace the part of connection loop end 266 in the rear slot 150 andaround the retention bulkheads 124 a, 124 b. In this manner the riggingsystem 100 may be held from the fixed point mount 260 by the interfacebetween the mount strap 262 and the retention bulkheads 124 a, 124 b asshown in FIG. 1A.

In an alternative configuration, the rigging system 100 may be mounteddirectly to any, preferably mostly cylindrical, bar 268 or post at anyorientation as indicated in FIG. 10. The upper strap 104 may be removedfrom the front slot 152, wrapped around the bar 268, and then threadedback through the front slot 152 and pulled tight such that around thebar 268. The upper strap restraint 118 at the free end of the upperstrap 104 is highly pliable and can easily be inserted through the frontslot 152 in either direction. In this configuration, the concave troughformed in the upper buckle span 126 generally conforms to the curvatureof the bar 268. The loop formed between the two lengths of the upperstrap 104 extending above the upper buckle 102 similarly wrap around andconform to the bar 268 to hold the rigging system snugly in position.The upper buckle clip 130 firmly biases the upper strap 104 against thegrip wall 125 in the front slot 152 preventing the upper strap 104 fromslipping or loosening. The span bumper 144 covering the span 126 and thesidewall bumpers 142 a, 142 b adjacent the span bumper 144 provide ahigh-friction, non-slip surface that further prevents slippage of theupper buckle 102 with respect to the bar 268 and holds the riggingsystem in a fixed point position.

In a further configuration, the rigging system 100 may be mounted in adoorjamb not shown) to provide a fixed point mounting location. In thisconfiguration, the upper strap 104 may be pulled tight against the span126, thereby removing the loop from the prior configuration that fitaround the bar 268. The upper buckle 102 may then be positioned on oneside of a door, both lengths of the upper strap 104 extending from theupper buckle 102 may be placed over the top of the door, and the doormay be closed against the door jamb such that the lengths of the upperstrap 104 extend through the crack between the door and the door jamb.The upper buckle 102 may be oriented on the opposite side of the doorsuch that the flat, bottom edge of the upper buckle 102 seats againstthe door and the door jamb, thus preventing the upper strap 104 frompulling through the crack. The rubber sidewall bumpers 142 a, 142 bprovide both a non-slip surface and a non-scuff surface against the doorand the door jamb, thereby preventing damage to the door and frame whena door is used as a fixed point anchor for the rigging system 100 inthis manner.

The user to change its length to accommodate for the height of the fixedpoint, the size of the user, the type of exercise to be performed, orany combination of these needs may easily adjust the rigging system 100.The primary adjustment to a length of the rigging system 100 may be madeusing the lower buckle 108. By pushing the paddle of the lower buckleclip 170 in the lower buckle 106 to remove the bias holding the lowerstrap 108 in a fixed position, the lower strap 108 can freely slidewithin the lower slot 164 around the lower buckle bulkhead 161, thuschanging the distance between the lower buckle 108 and the handle 110.By changing the distance between the lower buckle 108 and the handle110, the lower buckle 108 can remain a pre-determined distance from theupper buckle 102 while changing the location of the handle 110 relativeto the fixed-point mount. Thus, the lower buckle 108 can remain at apredetermined distance from the fixed-point mount during adjustment of avertical position of the handle 110. However, as described in moredetail below, this predetermined distance between the upper buckle 102and lower buckle 108 can be selectively changed by adjusting thedistance between the lower buckle 108 and the upper buckle 102 using theadjustment feature of the upper buckle clip 130.

Once a desired length of the portion of the lower strap 108 between thelower buckle 106 and the handle link 116 is achieved to appropriatelyposition the height of the handle 110, the paddle may be released,allowing the torsion spring 174 on the lower buckle 106 to bias the gripsurface on the lower buckle clip 170 toward the grip wall 165 andpressing against the lower strap 108 to hold it there between.

Once adjustment of the lower strap 108 is complete, the lower straprestraint 120 may be used to hold the free end of the lower strap 108against the length of lower strap 108 under tension in order to avoidpossible interference of the free end of the lower strap 108 with theuser when performing exercises. The lower strap restraint 120 may be alength of hook and loop fastener material affixed to the free end of thelower strap 108 that extends laterally to form tab structures. The tabsmay be long enough to fold around the width of the opposing length ofthe lower strap 108 and hook together around the portion of the lowerstrap 108 under tension.

If in any particular situation, manipulation of the lower buckle 106 andthe length of the lower strap 108 do not adequately achieve the desiredlength of the rigging system 100, the length of the upper strap 104 canlikewise be adjusted in combination. The upper buckle clip 130 can bemanipulated to release the bias force on the upper strap 104, allowingthe length to be adjusted to a new position, which changes the distancebetween the lower buckle 104 and the upper buckle 102. The upper buckleclip 130 can be released after appropriate adjustment of the upper strap104 to reassert the bias force of the upper buckle clip 130 on the upperstrap 104 to hold it firmly in position.

Once adjustment of the upper strap 104 is complete, the upper straprestraint 118 may be used to hold the free end of the upper strap 104against the length of upper strap 104 under tension in order to avoidpossible interference of the free end of the upper strap 104 with theuser when performing exercises. The upper strap restraint 118 may be alength of hook and loop fastener material affixed to the free end of theupper strap 104 that extends laterally to form tab structures. The tabsmay be long enough to fold around the width of the opposing length ofthe upper strap 104 and hook together around the portion of the upperstrap 108 under tension.

Additionally, by locating the upper buckle 102 and the lower buckle 106toward the upper ends of the upper strap 104 and lower strap 108,respectively, the free ends of the upper strap 104 and lower strap 108are less likely to interfere with the user when performing an exercise.For example, if the lower buckle 106 was located adjacent to the handlestraps 114 rather than the handle link 116, the free end of the lowerstrap 108 would fall downward toward the handle 110 and ankle strap 112and possibly interfere with the user when performing exercises. Byplacing the lower buckle 106 away from a connection point with thehandle straps 114, the likelihood of the free end of the lower strap 108interfering with the handle 110 or the ankle strap 112 is averted orminimized. Positioning the lower buckle 106 away from connectionadjacent to the handle straps 114 also prevents the possibility ofdiscomfort of the lower buckle 106 pressing into a user's forearm whenperforming exercises.

FIG. 14 depicts an alternate embodiment of a rigging system forsuspension exercise training in which the lower strap 108 is providedwith a series of measurement markers 240 spaced along the length of thelower strap 108. The measurement markers 240 may be positioned at evenincrements of a particular unit of measure (for example, inches). Themeasurement markers 240 may be marks woven within the web of the lowerstrap 108, marks screen printed onto the web of the lower strap 108,labels adhered or sewn to the web of the lower strap 108, or formed onthe lower strap 108 in any other fashion. As shown in FIG. 14, the lowerbuckle may be formed with a recess in the lower buckle bulkhead 161 thatcreates a marker window 176 to frame or highlight the present selectedmeasurement on the lower strap 108. Such a measurement system may be asignificant aid to the user when changing a length of the lower strap108 to accommodate different exercises during an exercise program.

FIG. 15 depicts an alternate embodiment of a rigging system forsuspension exercise training, wherein two separate rigging systems 100are used in conjunction and connected together by a connector bar 250.The ankle straps 112 are removed from the handles 110 on each of therigging systems 100. The connector bar 250 may then be connected betweentwo opposing ends of the handles 110; for example, by use of frictionfit inserts (not shown) extending from the connector bar 250 into thehandle cores 190 of each of the handles 110. Such a configuration mayprovide a user with an alternate rigging system for the performance ofdifferent exercises. Additionally the wider handle surface provided bythe connector bar 250 may provide a simplified or easier platform forusers new to suspension exercise training to complete appropriateexercises.

All directional references (e.g., proximal, distal, upper, lower,upward, downward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, front, back, top,bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, radial, axial, clockwise,and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aidthe reader's understanding of the present devices, systems, andstructures described herein, and do not create limitations, particularlyas to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. Connectionreferences (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and joined) are to beconstrued broadly and may include intermediate members between acollection of elements and relative movement between elements unlessotherwise indicated. As such, connection references do not necessarilyinfer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation toeach other. The exemplary drawings are for purposes of illustration onlyand the dimensions, positions; order and relative sizes reflected in thedrawings attached hereto may vary.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of theinvention as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of theclaimed invention have been described above with a certain degree ofparticularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments,those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to thedisclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of theclaimed invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only ofparticular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structuremay be made without departing from the basic elements of the inventionas defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rigging system for use in performing suspensionexercises comprising: a first strap including a length; a first buckleforming a distal end of the rigging system through which a first endportion of the first strap is threaded and in which the first strap isselectively secured; wherein the first buckle further comprises: a firstbuckle body including a span and two sidewalls positioned on opposingsides of the span and connected to the span; wherein the sidewalls aredefined by respective perimeter edges; a resilient bumper surface formedon the perimeter edges of the sidewalls; and a retention structurejoined to the body that releasably secures the first strap within andwith respect to the first buckle at a variety of positions; and a handleoperatively associated with the first strap.
 2. The rigging system ofclaim 1, further comprising a second strap that connects a second end ofthe first strap to the handle.
 3. The rigging system of claim 2, furthercomprising a second buckle connected to the second end of the firststrap and adjustably connected to a length of the second strap.
 4. Therigging system of claim 3, wherein the second buckle further comprises:a second buckle body that defines a slot through which the second strappasses and a bulkhead around which the second strap loops; and aretention structure joined to the second buckle body that releasablysecures the second strap within and with respect to the second buckle ata variety of positions.
 5. The rigging system of claim 3, furthercomprising a third strap connected at both ends to an end of the secondstrap, wherein the handle is supported by a length of a portion of thethird strap.
 6. The rigging system of claim 1, wherein the resilientbumper surface is further formed to cover a surface of the span.
 7. Therigging system of claim 1, wherein an outer surface of the span isformed as a concave trough.
 8. The rigging system of claim 1, whereinthe first buckle further comprises opposing bulkheads positionedopposite from each other on respective ones of the two sidewalls andextending toward each other to define a gap therebetween.
 9. The riggingsystem of claim 8, further comprising a connection strap including afirst end removably retained around the opposing bulkheads and a secondend configured for connection to a fixed point above the buckle.
 10. Arigging system for use in performing suspension exercises comprising: afirst strap of a first length; a second strap of a second length; alower buckle connected to a first end of the first strap, wherein thelower buckle further comprises: a lower buckle body that defines a slotthrough which the second strap passes and a bulkhead around which thesecond strap loops whereby the second length of the second strap islocated below the first length of the first strap when a second end ofthe first strap is joined to a fixed point located above the secondstrap such that the first and second straps hang vertically from thefixed point; and a retention structure joined to the lower buckle bodythat releasably secures the second strap within and with respect to thelower buckle at a variety of positions; a handle; and a third strapconnected at both ends to an end of the second strap, wherein the handleis supported by a third length of a portion of the third strap.
 11. Therigging system of claim 10, wherein a distance between the lower bucklebody and the handle is selectively changed by changing which portion ofthe length of the second strap is secured to the lower buckle body. 12.The rigging system of claim 10, further comprising: an upper buckleselectively joined to the second end portion of the first strap, whereinthe upper buckle and the second end portion of the first strap areconfigurable to selectively join the upper buckle to the fixed point.13. The rigging system of claim 12, wherein: which portion of the secondend portion of the first strap joined to the upper buckle is selectivelychangeable, and a distance between the fixed point and the lower buckleremains constant until the portion of the second end portion joined tothe upper buckle is changed.
 14. A rigging system for use in performingsuspension exercises comprising: a first strap of a first length; afirst buckle forming a distal end of the rigging system through whichthe first length of the first strap is selectively secured; a secondstrap of a second length fixed at a first end to a first end of thefirst strap, wherein the second length of the second strap is locatedbelow the first length of the first strap when a portion of the firststrap between the first end and a second end is joined to a fixed pointlocated above the second strap such that the first and second strapshang vertically from the point; a second buckle through which the secondlength of the second strap is selectively secured; and a handleconnected to a second end of the second strap in a fixed position suchthat a distance between second end of the second strap and the handle isconstant.
 15. The rigging system of claim 14, wherein the portion of thefirst strap between the first end and a second end is configured to bejoined to the fixed point above a position of the first buckle along thefirst strap.
 16. The rigging system of claim 14, further comprising athird strap connected at both ends to an end of the second strap,wherein the handle is supported by a third length of a portion of thethird strap.
 17. A rigging system for use in performing suspensionexercises comprising: a first strap of a first length; a second strap ofa second length connected to an end of the first strap; an elongatehandle connected to the second strap in an orientation normal to thefirst length of the first strap when the first strap is under tension;and an ankle strap in the form of a resilient, self-supporting stirrupconnected to the elongate handle, wherein lateral ends of the anklestrap are connected to lateral ends of the elongate handle.
 18. Therigging system of claim 17, wherein a plane containing an entire lengthof the ankle strap forms an angle of substantially 120 degrees withrespect to the length of the first strap when the first strap is undertension.
 19. The rigging system of claim 17, wherein the ankle strapradiates from and extends in a plane containing a center axis of theelongate handle.
 20. The rigging system of claim 17, wherein: theelongate handle is formed as a tubular body and further comprises a pairof end caps that seat within respective open ends of the tubular body;each of the end caps defines a first channel through which portions ofthe second strap pass; and each of the end caps further defines a secondchannel within which portions of the ankle strap are received.